Bavaria and FIFA settle, charges dropped

23 Jun 2010

FIFA and Dutch brewery Bavaria have reached an out-of-court settlement.

This led to charges against two Dutch women, allegedly involved in ambush marketing, being dropped in the Johannesburg magistrate's court.

National prosecuting authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the two parties made presentations to the prosecution, and acting director of public prosecution Xoli Khanyile took a decision to withdraw the charges.

"FIFA showed unwillingness to proceed with the matter after they reached a settlement with Bavaria. I cannot divulge the details of the settlement as we were not party to it. Confidentiality is maintained at all costs," he said.

The two women - Barbara Castelein and Mirthe Nieuwpoort - were arrested last week with 34 other women at Soccer City during a match between the Netherlands and Denmark.

They were wearing orange dresses associated with Bavaria.

The other women were not charged. Last week Castelein and Nieuwpoort were charged with the contravention of the SA Merchandise Marks Act and special measures regulation. They were later released on R10000 bail each.

In the courtroom the women sat and smiled at each other. As soon as the charges were dropped they hugged and kissed relatives who were present in court.

"All passports back?" asked a relative.

"Yes," responded the women.

Outside court they stopped for a while on the steps and posed for pictures.

They flashed their passports and bunches of flowers.

FIFA said they would release a statement on the settlement later.

Source: Sowetan

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